LeadAmerica students are incredibly diverse. They come from every state and more than 51 countries around the world. They aspire to virtually every career imaginable.

Each has a different story to tell. But they have one thing in common: they are passionate about their lives. Come meet some of them.

Annie CSLC, Leadership University United States Military Academy

When I went to LeadAmerica's Leadership University, I was presented with a lot of firsts: it was the first time I had gone to Washington, DC; it was the first time I had been so far away from my family for an extended period of time; and it was the first time I had ridden on an airplane. It was also the first time I really felt like I belonged. The young adults at that leadership conference were remarkably different from what I expected. I could tell that the people I spent that week with were going to be leaders. I was impressed by how much I learned at the conference and by how much I really fit in. I felt as if I was in my element with so many intelligent, gifted peers who were headed for success.

The environment at LeadAmerica was unlike anything I had ever experienced. The Team Leaders, and students were equally capable and competent in their abilities, and sure of each other. LeadAmerica not only taught me valuable "leadership" skills, but it gave me the encouragement I needed to pursue my dream.

People where I live never expected me to be accepted to one of the most prestigious colleges in the world. I remember telling my sophomore English teacher that I wanted to go to West Point and she just laughed and said, "well good luck with that," like it was impossible. Two years later I proved her wrong, and I walked up to her and said, "By the way, I got appointed to West Point." I never had people other than my family to tell me, "If you believe it, you can achieve it." Attending the LeadAmerica conference helped me to embrace that idea and gave me the determination I needed to pursue my dream. Now, I am living my dream.

If I want something, I'm going to get it. I can honestly say that LeadAmerica, my team leaders, and my fellow students have a lot to do with my achievement. I break tradition. I am unconventional and I refuse to be stereotyped. I don't like to meet expectations, but to exceed them. Thank you LeadAmerica for allowing me to come to these realizations, to find myself, and to achieve the dream.

Annie is attending the United States Military Academy at West Point and fulfilling her dream. Read more about her desire to attend West Point >>

Daniel Alumni, CSLC Business and Entrepreneurship

Community Service Activities
Adopt a School Project
Charity Ball

Leadership Activities
Student Council Class Representative
Adopt a School Vice-President
National Honor Society Member
Model United Nations Treasurer

Favorite Subjects in School
English
Information Technology in a Global Society

Best Moment at LeadAmerica Conference
In the group activity "Lego Design", our TL Group made a design using Lego pieces. The design was quite complex, so it required many people working together. Half of the students had to put blindfolds on and enter a circle marked by a rope. These students were to assemble the Lego pieces. The other half remained on the outside of the circle and had to give design instructions to the blindfolded design group using only non-verbal communication.
Those of us outside the circle had access to the Lego shape so we could tell those inside if they were doing the right thing. We used claps indicating, "yes" or "come here and pick up the Lego piece". Stomp meant "wrong or no".

I learned that cooperation is vital when working towards an objective. Every person must contribute toward reaching a goal. And we saw how leaders emerge d to ensure everyone was doing their job. It was one of many great learning experiences.  

Why you would recommend LeadAmerica to a friend
LeadAmerica conferences are a great way to meet people from different places and learn things you wouldn't ever experience in a classroom.

Anything else you want to share? Dreams, Goals?
I think the conference taught us how to bring out the leader is inside of us. And it prompted us to start thinking about what we want to be and what we want to represent to those around us.

Lily Alumni, CSLC Business and Entrepreneurship

Community Service Activities
40 hours: Orphanage
100 hours, 2002-2003: Retirement Center Visits
80 hours 2002-2003: English Tutor

During my freshman year in high school, we visited an orphanage once a week. Most of the babies were about one year old and had been abandoned. We spent our time holding, feeding and playing with the babies. I continued visiting the orphanage my entire freshman year and I really enjoyed doing something for my community.

Leadership Activities
Junior Class Treasurer/Student Government Officer: 2003-2004
Homeroom Representative: 2002-2003

Job
Worked at Honeywell Turbocharging Systems (Shanghai) as an Assistant for the Ordering Department, Summer 2003

Favorite subject in school
Biology

Best Moment at LeadAmerica Conference
At the conference, we were divided into small groups. In my group 5 (out of 8) students were from outside of the United States (China, Germany, Switzerland, Ghana and India). This created an interesting dynamic for our team.

Our main task was to simulate a new company. Each of us took a position on the Executive Board. I was the CEO of our cleaning service company, called "At Your Service". We conducted research on our potential market, planned advertising and calculated our costs and profits. We developed strategies and built our own company culture (human resources).
We each took a position that we thought we'd be successful at and worked through plans together. Near the end of the conference, we presented our company concept to a panel of judges (including an MIT student and a Harvard professor). Our peers and the judges selected our group as the best prospect for a new company. Our team was so proud!

Why you would recommend LeadAmerica to a friend?
It was a wonderful experience; there was a lot of learning but also at the same time a lot of fun!

Anything else you want to share? Dreams, Goals?
The conference was great. It helped me gain a deep understanding of today's business and leadership roles. I'm now certain that I'll major in business and/or law in college.

Renee is a writer.

“I write whenever I sit down and have the chance, without having to worry about a million other things. I write in my room, at school, at work, anywhere really. Whenever I get inspiration to write, I write”, says the 17 year old 12th grader from New Jersey.

“I write all different types of poetry. Sometimes I just write and it starts to form its own beat. But I never plan how it’s going to come out. My writing has matured as I’ve gotten older. I usually write depending upon my mood. When I’m happy, lonely, upset, mad, frustrated, anxious, confused, worried, or anything really, it is reflected in my poetry.”

Renee has plans to attend West Point after high school. She is currently in the process of applying.

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